In early November, in the northeastern part of the Kingdom of England, less than 83 miles from the small village of Gretnergin on the Scottish border, an ally of France, Richmondshire, finally begins the most special time of the year – the reduction of daylight hours.

The reduction in daylight hours means that Richmond County has only nine and a half hours of daylight per day in November. In December and January, the hours of daylight are even shorter, with just over seven hours per day. This situation will continue until April of the following year, when there will be more than 10 hours of sunshine every day.

People living in Richmond County are accustomed to the long nights and short days of the winter. They know that the sunrise time will be around 3 p.m. every day in November, and the sunset time will be around 12:30 a.m. People's habits do not change because of the shortening of daylight hours. It's just that it can turn people's mood like the cloudy weather in England without them knowing it.

The gloomy sky makes people look a little melancholy, and the small amount of sunlight hiding above the clouds makes people seem depressed and gloomy about everything. It can also allow a small group of people to face a difficult life with a depressed and depressed attitude, and use self-ending life to resolve depression in the midst of great "grief".

Yufemia, whose mind is not yet fully mature, is a little entangled in the other party's inconsistent expressions. Underneath the allegorical smile and unpredictable expression, the other party's words sound cynical and defiant of all hierarchies.

In the past ten years since she was born, Isabel Walton has been the first person to instruct her to do things other than her parents and eldest sister Rosalind, and she doesn't seem to take her fatherhood in her eyes at all.

Although she likes to be called "pretty girl", she can't help but ask, "Thank you, Isabel, for the compliment." But, if I'm not mistaken, are you asking me to do your squire's work? ”

Isabel said calmly, "It's a joke." Then she immediately smiled and said, "Well, Effie, of course I won't let you do that, unless you're willing to be a knight's squire dressed like an infantryman." ”

Yufemia, infected by her smile, shook her head and said, "I really don't understand, why do you say that." ”

Isabel just smiled and walked out of the hallway, and Euphemia walked beside her, looked at her twice, and said, "Isabel, I'm waiting for you to answer my question." ”

"Effie, are you serious? Well, I guess I'd better call you Miss Euphemia. ”

"Why? My family always calls me Effie, and you can call me that. ”

"But I am not your family, I am your father, the knightly squire of Sir Augustine Walton."

"My God, you should know that I have long regarded you as my family in my heart."

"Is it because I look similar to Rosalind, or because I think of you as a good friend?"

"Maybe, maybe both."

As the two were about to reach the backyard of the knight's house, Isabel said, "You can think whatever you want." But I ought to show you the respect I deserve in public or in the presence of nobles, shouldn't I? ”

Euphemia just nodded and said, "So, you're saying I shouldn't accompany you to the stables?" ”

"Of course, I am only your father's squire, not a nobleman or a knight's daughter."

"Isabel, I can ask you to accompany me to the stables. Giggles... Then there won't be any problems. ”

Isabel looked up at the sky, estimated the time and said, "Miss Euphemia, if I'm not mistaken, it's winter, right?" ”

Euphemia also raised her head, looked back and forth at the sky, and said, "No, it should be late autumn." However, from now on, the daily hours of sunshine will be shorter and shorter, with an average of just over 9 hours per day. ”

"Hell, sunlight is a rarity here. Miss Euphemia, I think you'd better go back, I'll find my way to the stables myself. ”

"No, how can you carry an oil lamp to the stables with so many things?"

At this moment, the maid who was waiting for Yufemiaa to get up and wash up came in a hurry. After saluting her, he said, "Madame, Madame is looking for you, asking when you will be ready to attend Mr. Fitzgerald's lesson." ”

Euphemia looked at the maid and said, "I'll go back at once." By the way, you go get an oil lamp. ”

"Miss, what are you doing with an oil lamp? Where are you going? ”

"No, I'm asking you to carry an oil lamp and show the way to your lord's knightly squire, Isabel Walton."

"Yes, miss."

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By the time Isabel was guided by the maid to the stables, Jeff Carter's son, Yule Jr., had already started working in the stables. When the two met, Yule said with a smile on his face, "Good morning, ma'am." ”

Isabel smiled and said, "Good morning, Yul Carter." What happened to your father's illness? ”

"I tried the method you taught me, and my father said his head didn't hurt as much as it used to."

"God bless you, Yule. I sincerely hope that your father's health will be better. ”

At this time, Isabel said to the maid standing aside, "Thank you, I can do it by myself." ”

After the maid had left, and Isabel walked towards the two horses in the fence with his knight's cavalry and saber, Yule followed and said, "I'm sorry, ma'am." Last night I... I should not have said those words to you, please forgive me for being rude and barbaric. ”

Isabel walked over to the fence and placed her armor and sword on the ground, looked sideways at the boy and said, "It's okay, Yule. Did you know that the relationship between you and your sister and your father is by no means a subordinate or absolutely subordinate, but an equal one? If you are careful to respect, protect, and care for your family, I am sure your father will do the same. ”

"Thank you, ma'am, though I don't quite understand what you just said."

"You're welcome, Yule. Oh, you don't know my name yet, do you? My name is Isabel Walton. If you like, you can call me Isabel. ”

Yule blinked and said, "You are the lord's daughter?" It's strange how I've never seen you before? I mean, ever since my father and I started working in the stables. ”

"Well, this is a complicated question, I'll explain it to you later."

"Actually, you don't need to explain anything to me at all. After all, you are a member of the lord's family, and my father and I are just horsemen here. ”

Isabel could only smile at the boy's answer. Because this is a society and country with a strict hierarchical system, people are isolated from each other by countless invisible hierarchical boundaries within their "territory".